Creditors’ mission chiefs arrive with a long list of prior actions

The start of the fourth post-bailout assessment of Greece by its creditors, which starts on Monday, represents a new era in relation between the two sides, as they have to construct a new framework of cooperation after the change in government, based on trust and the adoption of common targets.

The first round of talks with the mission chiefs in Athens will last for three days, but they will arrive with a long list of prior actions - i.e. the reforms agreed with the previous government that remain pending - and with their budget estimates that will determine whether Greece achieves the goal for a primary surplus of 3.5 percent of gross domestic product.

For the government, these three days will constitute an opportunity to figure out whether the creditors will allow it to finance a  tax easing program next year too, mainly through including the takings of eurozone...